Self-Harm

SHARE

In Wales, there are approximately 5,500 hospital admissions for self-harm related injury each year. This figure does not include those who seek no help, nor those whose injuries required no admission.

For many people, there is a shame and secrecy around self-harm that prevents them from seeking help. At SHARE, we aim to support people to get the help they need, when they are ready to do so.

Talking about your problems with people improves your bond with them and helps to build self-esteem.

Getting things off your chest helps you feel better about yourself and makes life more enjoyable.

Support groups can play an important part in recovery too. By de-stigmatising self-harm and allowing people to express themselves in a non-judgemental setting, support groups improve interpersonal relationships and help to address
problems in a positive way. Sharing with others in the group helps to clarify issues, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness.

People often attend support groups who have never spoken about their issues with anyone. Knowing that there are other people going through the same can strengthen their resolve to recover.

SHARE is confidential, non-judgemental, and open to people who are at different stages of recovery.

SHARE provides the skills and knowledge to empower individuals to manage and reduce their harm.

SHARE facilitators have experience and knowledge on a variety of forms of Self-Harm

SHARE welcomes anyone who wishes to attend to sit and reflect while listening to the stories of others’ journeys

SHARE will ensure that those not ready to stop will learn how to take care of injuries they have, to reduce the risk of infection.

SHARE encourages dialogue between the self-harmer and their concerned friends/relatives.

SHARE educational sessions include coping strategies regarding Stress, Anger, Anxiety and Depression, alternatives to harm, distraction techniques and other exercises designed to reduce the use of harm as a method of coping.

Gain a basic understanding of Self-Injury, and learn a few techniques to get you through the day.

Coping with Self-Harm: A Guide for Parents and CarersSelf-harm is very common in young people, with 10-15% of young people in the UK reporting that they self-harm. Families can find it difficult to comprehend and be left feeling like there’s nowhere to turn. Now, based on in-depth research with parents, a team from Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry have launched a guide to help parents and carers who are trying to cope with this difficult situation.
The guide has been developed based on current research on self-harm and on interviews with parents. It contains quotes and advice for parents, from parents as well as evidence-based information and links to sources of help.
As well as information, the new resource provides a source of hope. Many of the parents interviewed had hope for the future and the team’s aspiration is that this will enable other parents to feel some optimism.

NSHN: Distractions that can helpOften times, the feeling of wanting to harm is momentary. There are many forms of distraction that have been proven to successfully remove the urge to self-harm, allowing the person to move their mind to a more calming place.

The National Self-Harm Network has provided over 100 techniques including fun and creative distractions, physical and comforting distractions and many more. Not all of these will work for everyone. The best thing to do is have a read through and find the ones that suit you.

Self-Injury Support: Dealing with FeelingsSelf-Injury Support is a national organisation that supports women and girls affected by Self-Harm or Self-Injury. Their website includes an interactive area where you can explore your feelings and emotions.

Self-Harm UK: Helping Someone Who Self-HarmsSelfharmUK is a project dedicated to supporting young people impacted by self-harm, providing a safe space to talk, ask any questions and be honest about what’s going on in your life.

NICE GuidelinesThe NICE guidelines make recommendations for the physical, psychological and social assessment and treatment of people in primary and secondary care in the first 48 hours after having self-harmed. For the purpose of this guideline, the term self-harm is defined as ‘self-poisoning or injury, irrespective of the apparent purpose of the act’. Self-harm is an expression of personal distress, not an illness, and there are many varied reasons for a person to harm him or herself.Read the NICE Guidelines here.